THE Freedom of the Borough of Stockton has been granted to The Rifles.

Following re-organisation of the Army, the Light Infantry, which already had the Freedom of the Borough, are now part of a new Regiment, The Rifles.

A large proportion of The Rifles are from the North-east with a number from Stockton.

The Regiment has served in Iraq and was recently preparing for operations in Afghanistan.

The decision to grant the regiment the freedom of Stockton Borough was agreed at a full meeting of Stockton Council earlier this month.

Councillor John Fletcher, the Mayor of Stockton will present a sealed and illuminated copy of the Resolution to The Rifles at a later date and the Regiment will be given the opportunity to exercise the Freedom of the Town during their Regimental programme for 2009-2010.

Praising the regiment, Councillor Fletcher, said: “The Rifles is now the largest Infantry Regiment in the British Army and we are all very proud of our troops.”